Keto to invest $10 million for manufacturing e-auto in India

Keto, a joint venture between Telangana-based ETO Motors and Hong Kong-based Kyto Green Technologies, plan to set up a new manufacturing facility for electric autorickshaws in the country. The company showcased its flagship product for the first time at the EV Expo 2018, that began today at Pragati Maidan, Delhi.

Commenting on the launch of Kyto and the company’s future plans, Balram Narayankar, director, Keto said, “Keto is likely to invest $10 million (Rs 70 crore) in next two years, and the funds will be utilised for setting up a new plant with a capacity of 50,000 units annually, and towards R&D of the product. Our focus is to make these vehicles accessible and affordable to all; so in addition to retailing, Keto is considering leasing options.”

The company claims that the e-autos are designed to meet the EU standards and come in three variants - Kyto 3, Kyto 5 and Kyto Cargo - which will cater to various customers needs in the domestic market. While Kyto 3 and Kyto 5 are three- and five-seater passenger vehicles; Kyto Cargo is aimed as a goods and waste collection vehicle.

Commenting on the launch of e-trikes in India, Grayson Richards, MD, Kyto Green Technologies said, “Electric autorickshaws are a revolution in the public transportation and cargo sectors, and India will witness this change unfold across the country, starting today. Our vehicles are superior in performance and style and are designed from the ground up as electric vehicles by an expert team of automotive engineers. Kyto vehicles are eco-friendly and come with recyclable exterior panels. These technologically advanced vehicles maintain industry-best safety standards across all variants, and are equipped with high quality electronic control systems from the United States.”

The company claims the e-autorickshaws come with the first-of-its-kind features in the segment such as an automotive driver seat with headrest and three-point seatbelt, foamed rear seat with high back and two-point seatbelts for passenger safety and a steel rear bumper with collapsible crush structure for absorbing low impact collision forces.